Someone knocked softly at the door of their room while they were at breakfast. The door slid open, and the innkeeper herself scooted in on her knees, bowing and holding a missive in front of her.

"For you, Revered Sir, for you," she said, showing excitement in her tone, extending it to Yuta. "From the Abbot!"

'Thank you," he said as he took it, opening it immediately. On this the children's future might depend. He sighed in relief.

"Lady Satsuki will see us in ...